Pete Shelley, the singer of the punk band Buzzcocks, died at the age of 63

Buzzcocks founder and singer Pete Shelley died at the age of 63, the band has confirmed today (6 December).

In a statement posted on Buzzcocks' official Twitter page, the group paid tribute to "influential and productive" Shelley.

"It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of Pete Shelley, one of the UK's most influential and prolific songwriters and co-founder of the first original punk band Buzzcocks," states the statement.

Advertising – Read below

"Pete's music has inspired generations of musicians to pursue a career that spans five decades, and with his band and as a solo artist, has been highly appreciated by the music industry and its fans around the world, and a more detailed explanation will follow."

Pete's music has inspired generations of musicians to pursue a career that has taken five decades. With his band and as a solo artist, he was highly appreciated by the music industry and its fans around the world.

Shelley's brother Gary John McNeish also confirmed the news on his Facebook page and said that Shelley had died after a heart attack.

Buzzcocks were founded in Manchester in the 1970s and are best known for their song "Ever Fallen in Love." They publish their first EP, Spiral Scratch, 1977, while her debut album, Another music in another kitchen, arrived in 1988.

In addition to Buzzcocks Shelley also released two solo albums and left the band officially in 1981, before she came back in 1989 with them. In the following decades they toured regularly.

Among those paying tribute to Shelley is author Neil Gaiman, who wrote, "Part of my youth is dying with him."

The Stranglers also shared a tribute to the singer and added, "Sorry when he heard of the death of a real punk original Pete Shelley. RIP Pete."

Advertising – Read below

Pete Shelley wrote perfect three-minute pop songs. The soundtrack to the teenager. You will be missed, Pete, but you will be remembered for a long time for your brilliant music https://t.co/bt03fGbcgd